Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers with various dispensing mechanisms

ABSTRACT

Portable pill dispensers are disclosed herein. The portable pill dispenser may include a container configured to house at least one pill therein, a housing attachable to the container, and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing. In one configuration, the dispensing mechanism includes an oscillating member configured to dispense the at least one pill from the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 62/610,634, filed Dec. 27, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to pill dispensing and moreparticularly relates to systems and methods for dispensing pills by wayof portable pill dispensers with various dispensing mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable to prevent the misuse of medications by intended usersand also to ensure correct dispensing of prescription medications. It isalso desirable to monitor and record the dispensing of prescriptionmedications to intended users. In this manner, it would be useful toprovide a portable pill dispenser and monitoring system to verify thatmedications stored therein are not taken in excess (i.e., abused) andare only taken at the prescribed interval and dose. It also would beuseful to provide a portable pill dispenser and monitoring system toverify that medications stored therein are removed only by the patientor another authorized person in order to prevent drug abuse, diversion,and/or mistake. In addition, it would be useful to provide a portablepill dispenser that is capable of dispensing one pill at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A portable pill dispenser is disclosed herein. The portable pilldispenser includes a container configured to house at least one pilltherein, a housing attachable to the container, and a dispensingmechanism disposed within the housing. In one embodiment, the dispensingmechanism comprises an oscillating member configured to dispense the atleast one pill from the container. Other new dispensing mechanisms arealso disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar oridentical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/orcomponents other than those illustrated in the drawings, and someelements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments.Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn toscale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singularand plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a housing of a portable pill dispenser in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a housing of a portable pill dispenser in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a container of a portable pill dispenser in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a tool in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a housing of a portable pill dispenser with a ramp inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a ramp in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a dispensing mechanism of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts a dispensing mechanism and a control panel of a portablepill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts a dispensing mechanism and a control panel of a portablepill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts a control panel of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts a control panel and battery of a portable pill dispenserin accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts a communication network in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 depicts a dispensing mechanism of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 depicts a dispensing mechanism of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 depicts a dispensing sequence in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 depicts a dispensing sequence in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 depicts a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 depicts a dispensing sequence in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 depicts a dispensing sequence in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising an oscillating memberfor a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 26 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising an oscillating memberfor a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 27 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising an oscillating memberfor a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 28 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising an oscillating memberfor a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 29 depicts a control panel of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 30 depicts a control panel of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 31 depicts a portion of a portable pill dispenser in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 32 depicts a removable insert of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 33 depicts a removable insert of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 34 depicts a removable insert of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 35 depicts a removable insert of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 36 depicts a moveable wall of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 37 depicts a moveable wall of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 38 depicts a container of a portable pill dispenser in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 39 depicts a container of a portable pill dispenser in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 40 depicts a container comprising a pill delivery system of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 41 depicts a container comprising a pill delivery system of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 42 depicts a container comprising a pill delivery system of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 43 depicts a trap door assembly of a portable pill dispenser inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 44 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a belt-and-pulleydispensing system of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 45 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a belt-and-pulleydispensing system of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 46 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more moveablestoppers of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 47 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more moveablestoppers of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 48 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more moveablestoppers of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 49 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more moveablestoppers of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 50 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 51 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 52 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 53 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 54 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 55 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a moveable floor of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 56 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 57 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 58 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 59 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 60 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 61 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising one or more rotatinggates of a portable pill dispenser in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 62 depicts a communication network in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 63 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a rotating screw of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 64 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a rotating screw of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 65 depicts a dispensing mechanism comprising a rotating screw of aportable pill dispenser in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described below are embodiments of portable pill dispensers (as well asindividual components of the portable pill dispensers). As used herein,the term “pills” refers to tablets, capsules, gel caps, and other dosageunits known in the art for administering pharmaceutical agents (orplacebos of the same). Typically, the pill is a solid oral dosage formknown in the art. Methods of manufacturing and using the portable pilldispensers are also disclosed. In some instances, the portable pilldispensers may be used in clinical trials. For example, one or more ofthe participants (patients) in the client trial each may be providedwith a portable pill dispenser. Information from the portable pilldispenser may be monitored, recorded, and provided to the operator ofthe clinical trial. The information provided by the portable pilldispensers may help ensure the integrity of the clinical trial. Theinformation provided by the portable pill dispensers may be highlyuseful information, such as when the patient takes the pills,information which may be far more accurate than relying of the patient'sown recollection and independent recordkeeping. Moreover, the operatorof the clinical trial may remotely monitor, record, control, modify,and/or adjust the dispensing capabilities of the portable pilldispensers as necessary in order to carry out the clinical trial asefficiently and cost-effectively as possible. In other embodiments, theportable pill dispensers are used by patients not in a clinical trial,such as in dispensing any approved drug to a patient as prescribed byhis or her physician. The portable pill dispenser may be used in anysetting to monitor, record, and/or adjust the dispensing of a drug.

The portable pill dispensers may prevent the misuse of medications byintended users and also ensure correct dispensing of prescriptionmedications. For example, the portable pill dispensers may monitor andrecord the dispensing of prescription medications to intended users andverify that medications stored therein are not taken in excess (e.g.,abused) and are taken only at the prescribed intervals and doses. Inaddition, the portable pill dispensers may verify that medicationsstored therein are removed only by the patient or another authorizedperson in order to deter drug abuse, diversion, and/or mistake. Theportable pill dispensers can aid the patient to take (e.g., ingest) hisor her medication as directed (as prescribed) by his or her physician.The portable pill dispensers also may determine if a dose was missed.

The term “portable” refers to a pill dispenser that may be easilycarried by a user, such as in one of his or her hands, or within apocket of his or her clothing. In this manner, the size and shape of theportable pill dispenser may enable a user to carry the portable pilldispenser on his or her person in essentially the same way that acurrent model mobile phone or smart phone is typically carried by aperson. That is, the overall dimensions of the portable pill dispenserare such that a user can easily hold it in one hand, or can readilycarry it, for example, in a pocket of his or her jacket, pants, shirt,shorts, or overcoat, or in a handbag or backpack. In this manner, a usermay keep the portable pill dispenser on their person, e.g., in aconcealed manner, throughout the day. In some instances, the user mayoperate the portable pill dispenser with one hand. In other instances,the user may hold the portable pill dispenser in one hand and operate itwith the other hand. In other instances, all of the dispensing mechanismdescribed herein may be used in association with a stationary,non-portable pill dispensing device, such as in a pharmacy or highvolume pill manufacturing facility.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a portable pill dispenser 100. The portablepill dispenser 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 isconfigured to house at least one pill therein. In some instances, anumber of pills (e.g., 2 to 100 or more pills) are stored within thecontainer 102. The container 102 may be transparent or opaque. Thecontainer 102 may be disposable or reusable. The container 102 may beany suitable size, shape, or configuration. The container 102 mayinclude a container label on an exterior surface thereof. For example,the container 102 may include a prescription label thereon. Theprescription label may identify the pills therein, provide instructionsto the patient, provide a medication dosage regimen, provide patientinformation, provide doctor information, provide warnings, and/orprovide emergency instructions, or the like. The information may be inthe form of text, a barcode, and/or a data chip. Any information may beincluded on the container label and/or on the container 102 itself.

The container 102 is attachable to a housing 104. As depicted in FIGS.1-3, the housing 104 may include a rear portion 106 that is attached toa front portion 108. The front portion 108 and the rear portion 106 maybe screwed, welded, or the like. In certain embodiments, the frontportion 108 and the rear portion 106 may be a single unitary body. Insome instances, the rear portion 106 and the front portion 108 arescrewed together. For example, the front portion 108 and the rearportion 106 may include one or more bores 110 and corresponding screws112. The rear portion 106 and the front portion 108 may include one ormore internal platforms, frames, lips, walls, attachment points or thelike for attaching, aligning, securing, and/or positioning the variouscomponents disposed within the housing 104. The housing 104 may be anysuitable size, shape, or configuration.

In certain embodiments, the portable pill dispenser 100 includes anattachment mechanism 114 configured to releasably or reversibly securethe container 102 to the housing 104. As depicted in FIG. 2, theattachment mechanism 114 comprises a pair of first resilient tabs 116extending from the front portion 108 on each side thereof. Theattachment mechanism 114 also comprises a pair of second resilient tabs118 extending from the rear portion 106 on each side thereof. In someinstances, the first and second resilient tabs include lips 120. Thelips 120 are formed by a triangular protrusion 122 projecting outwardfrom a distal tip of the first and second resilient tabs 116, 118. Thelips 120 are configured to mate with apertures 124, as depicted in FIG.4, in the side of the container 102 to secure the container 102 to thehousing 104. The shape of the triangular protrusions 122 causes thefirst and second tabs 116, 118 to flex inward as the container 102 ispressed together with the housing 104. Once the triangular protrusions122 are aligned with the apertures 124, the first and second resilienttabs 116, 118 snap back into their repose position, which causes thelips 120 to engage an edge of the apertures 124 to secure the container102 to the housing 104. In some instances, tamper stickers may be placedover the apertures 124 to prevent the container 102 from being removedfrom the housing 104 without breaking the stickers, evidencing thatunauthorized access to the container contents has occurred. In someinstances, a tamper sensor may be disposed about the container and thehousing to detect when the container is separated from the housing.

FIG. 5 depicts a tool 126 for removing the container 102 from thehousing 104. The tool 126 includes a main body 128 with a pair ofprotrusions 130 extending therefrom. The protrusions 130 are sized andshaped to correspond to the apertures 124 so as to press against thetriangular protrusions 122 to bend the first and second resilient tabsinward 116, 118, thereby disengaging the lips 120 from the apertures124, which enables the container 102 to be removed from the housing 104.In some instances, only an authorized person (such as a pharmacist,physician, or clinical trial operator) may have access to the tool 126.Any type of tamper resistance attachment mechanism may be used herein.In some instances, for additional security, a removable tamper resistanthousing may encase the portable pill dispenser 100. The tamper resistanthousing may be smash proof. For example, the tamper resistant housingmay form a metal jacket about the portable pill dispenser. The tamperresistant housing may be used when transporting certain narcotics or thelike, e.g., Schedule II or III drugs.

The portable pill dispenser 100 is configured to dispense pills. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 1, the front portion 108 includes adispensing opening 132. In addition, as depicted in FIGS. 6-8, adispensing mechanism 134 and a ramp 136 are disposed within the housing104 and may extend into the container 102. The ramp 136 is configured toguide the pills from the container 102 to the dispensing mechanism 134.In some instances, the ramp 136 guides one pill at a time to thedispensing mechanism 134. That is, the ramp 136 is sized and shaped toalign one pill into the dispensing mechanism 134 at a time. In thismanner, the ramp 136 includes an inlet 138 facing the container 102 andan outlet 140 facing the dispensing mechanism 134. The size and shape ofthe inlet 138 and the outlet 140 may vary depending on the pills beingdispensed. The ramp 136 may include one or more angled portions so as touse gravity to cause the pills to slide into the dispensing mechanism134. For example, the ramp 136 functions as a funnel directing one pillat a time to the dispensing mechanism 134. In some instances, the ramp136 is at least partially formed by a ledge 142 extending from the rearportion 106. The ledge 142 may direct pills to the inlet 138 of the ramp136. In other instances, the ledge 142 may be omitted. The ramp 136 maybe any size, shape, or configuration.

In some instances, as depicted in FIGS. 35-37, the ramp 136 includes amoveable wall 145 configured to adjust the size of the ramp 136. Forexample, the moveable wall 145 includes a notch 147 configured to slidealong channel 149 formed in the ramp 136. In this manner, the moveablewall 145 may slide laterally from side-to-side in order to adjust thesize (width) of the ramp 136 to accommodate different sized and shapedpills.

In some instances, the ramp 136 comprises a removable ramp insert 144.The removable ramp insert 144 may be removed and replaced with a ramphaving a different size, shape, or configuration to accommodate pills ofvarying sizes and/or shapes. For example, the removable ramp insert 144is removably attached to the rear portion 106. In this manner, theportable pill dispenser 100 may be customized for pills of differentshapes and sizes. The moveable wall 145 may be incorporated into theremovable ramp insert 144.

The dispensing mechanism 134 is configured to dispense the pills fromthe container to the dispensing opening 132. In some instance, thedispensing mechanism 134 comprises a motor 146 (e.g., an electric motor)in mechanical communication with a rotating barrel 148. The motor 146may be in direct or indirect (e.g., via one or more gears) mechanicalcommunication with the rotating barrel 148. The motor 146 and therotating barrel 148 may be positioned beneath the ramp 136. In thismanner, the rotating barrel 148 is positioned about the outlet 140 ofthe ramp 136. The rotating barrel 148 may be angled downward tofacilitate dispensing of the pills. The rotating barrel 148 comprises acavity 150 configured to receive the pill therein. The cavity 150 may besized and shaped to accommodate one pill at a time. In some instances,the rotating barrel 148 includes a number of cavities. In this manner,rotation of the rotating barrel 148 dispenses the pill within the cavity150 to a passageway 152, which leads to the dispensing opening 132. Incertain embodiments, once all of the pills have been dispensed, thecontainer 102 may be removed from the housing 102 and a new container102 may be attached thereto. In other instances, the container 102 maybe refilled.

In order to accommodate pills of varying sizes and/or shapes, aremovable insert 154 may be disposed within the cavity 150. Theremovable insert 154 may adjust the size and/or shape of the cavity 150.In this manner, depending of the pills being dispensed, different sizedand/or shaped removable inserts 154 may be disposed within the cavity150 to adjust the portable pill dispenser 100 to accommodate a varietyof pills. The removable insert 154 may be any size, shape, orconfiguration. In this manner, the portable pill dispenser 100 may becustomized for different pills. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 32-35,the removable insert 154 is disposed within the cavity of the rotatingbarrel 148. In some instances, removable insert 154 includes a smallercavity 155 for accommodating smaller pills than the cavity 150. Thesmaller cavity 155 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Insome instances, the smaller cavity 155 is open ended, as depicted inFIG. 33.

As depicted in FIG. 9, the portable pill dispenser 100 also may includea pill sensor 156 disposed within the housing 104. The pill sensor 156may be located anywhere within the housing 104. For example, the pillsensor 156 is disposed within or adjacent to the cavity 150, within oradjacent to the passageway 152, and/or within or adjacent to thedispensing opening 132. The pill sensor 156 is configured to detect thepill 158 being dispensed to the dispensing opening 132. In someinstances, the pill sensor 156 detects the pill 158 within the cavity150, passing from the cavity 150 to the passageway 152, and/or from thepassageway 152 to the dispensing opening 132. Any type of pill sensor156 may be used. In one embodiment, the pill sensor 156 is a photoreflective sensor, which may detect the pill 158 based on lightreflection from the pill 158 compared to light reflection from therotating barrel 148. The wavelength of light is chosen to maximize thesignal difference between the pill 158 and the rotating barrel 148. Byway of example, the dispensing mechanism 134 can be optimized tomaximally reflect the chosen wavelengths of light while the pill 158maximally absorbs the chosen wavelengths of light. Various mechanismsthat can be used to maximize the differences in absorption or reflectionof light can include reflection, refraction, light scatter, lightdiffusion, surface textures, dispenser color, dispenser material choice,dispenser coatings, material fluorescence, or the like. In otherinstances, the pill sensor 156 is a limit switch or the like. Moreover,any number of pill sensors 156 may be used. For example, multiple pillsensors 156 can detect the movement of the pill 158 at each stage fromthe container 102 to the dispensing opening 132.

In some instances, as depicted in FIG. 10, a rotation sensor 160 isdisposed within the housing 104 about the rotating barrel 148. Therotation sensor 160 is configured to detect the annular position of therotating barrel 148. The rotation sensor 160 may be particularly usefulin determining the location of the cavity 150. In some instances, therotation sensor 160 is a trigger sensor (e.g., limit switch) thatengages an edge 162 of the rotating barrel 148 as it rotates. Othertypes of rotation sensors 160 may be used, including, but not limitedto, a magnetic sensor or a photo reflector sensor configured to detect asticker or other indicia on the rotating barrel 148. Moreover, atachometer 164 may be disposed about the motor 146. The rotation sensor160 and the tachometer 164 may collectively determine the annularposition of the rotating barrel 148. In some instances, a tachometer, alimit switch, a photo reflective sensor, and/or a motor current sensormay be used to detect a “jam” and take appropriate action. For instance,if the motor current is high such that the rotating barrel should bespinning, and the photo reflective sensor and/or limit switch do notsense the barrel rotating, the motor may be instructed to run in reverseor to run back-and-forth several times. In addition, an error messagemay be displayed or a wireless signal may be sent to a smartphone orother companion electronic device.

In some instances, as depicted in FIGS. 29-31, a rotation sensor 161 isdisposed within the housing 104 about a shaft 163 (or neck portion) ofthe rotating barrel 148. In one example, the rotation sensor 161 isattached to a ledge 167 extending from the control panel 170. Therotation sensor 161 is configured to detect the annular position ofshaft 163 (or neck portion) of the rotating barrel 148. The rotationsensor 161 may be particularly useful in determining the location of thecavity 150. In some instances, the rotation sensor 161 is a triggersensor (e.g., limit switch) that engages the shaft 163 (or neck portion)of the rotating barrel 148 as it rotates. Other types of rotationsensors 161 may be used, including, but not limited to, a magneticsensor or a photo reflector sensor configured to detect a sticker orother indicia on the shaft 163 (or neck portion) of the rotating barrel148. The rotation sensor 161 and the tachometer 164 may collectivelydetermine the annular position of the shaft 163 (or neck portion) of therotating barrel 148. In some instances, a tachometer, a limit switch, aphoto reflective sensor, and/or a motor current sensor may be used todetect a “jam” and take appropriate action. For instance, if the motorcurrent is high such that the rotating barrel should be spinning, andthe photo reflective sensor and/or limit switch do not sense the barrelrotating, the motor may be instructed to run in reverse or to runback-and-forth several times. In addition, an error message may bedisplayed or a wireless signal may be sent to a smartphone or othercompanion electronic device.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the portable pill dispensing 100 includes averification mechanism 166. The verification mechanism 166 is configuredto activate, or permit activation of, the dispensing mechanism 134 uponverification of the identity of the user. In certain embodiments, theverification mechanism 166 comprises a biometric sensor 168. Forexample, the verification mechanism 166 may be a fingerprint reader, aretina reader, or the like. The biometric sensor 168 is disposed on thefront portion 108 and includes a finger print reader. In otherinstances, the verification mechanism 166 may include a touch pad that auser enters a code (pin) or swipes a pattern. Any type of verificationmechanism 166 may be used to limit and/or verify dispensing of thepills. In a preferred embodiment, the verification mechanism 166 willonly enable the dispensing mechanism 134 to dispense a pill uponverifying the identity of the user. The verification information, e.g.,pin, biometrics, etc., may be stored on the device or over a network.The portable pill dispensing 100 also may be in communication (wirelessor hardwired) with a personal computing device, such as an app on asmart phone or the like, in which the user enters the verificationinformation. In such instances, the verification mechanism 166 will onlyenable the dispensing mechanism 134 to dispense a pill upon verifyingthe identity of the user on the personal computing device. In someinstances, the user can be anonymous for the purpose of the biometricverification (i.e. the biometric information stored on the device is notcomparted to any known information about a particular person, andtherefore, the identity of the user may be unknown other than the useris the owner of the biometric registered on the device.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 9-12, a control panel 170 is disposed withinthe housing 104. The control panel 170 comprises a printed circuit boardhaving one or more electrical components thereon or in communicationtherewith. The control panel 170 includes a memory, circuitry, and atleast one processor to execute the various functions described herein.In some instances, the electrical components of the control panel 170are incorporated into the control panel 170 and/or are in electricalcommunication with the control panel 170. For example, the verificationmechanism 166 and dispensing mechanism 134 are in electricalcommunication with the control panel 170. In addition, an accelerometer172, one or more light indicators 174, a speaker 176, a mute button 178,a wireless communication module 180, an electrical connection port 182,one or more batteries 184, a battery charging connection port, anonboard internal clock, a vibration motor, and/or a geopositiontransceiver (e.g., GPS transceiver) may also be in electricalcommunication with the control panel 170. The various electricalcomponents may be disposed within the housing 104 and/or be accessiblefrom outside of the housing 104.

The accelerometer 172 may determine the orientation of the portable pilldispenser 100. For example, in order to ensure the proper dispensing ofthe pills, the control panel 170 may not activate the dispensingmechanism 134 unless the portable pill dispenser 100 is in asubstantially upright position as determined by the accelerometer 172.The speaker 176 (or other audible device) may provide alerts to theuser, such as when to take their medication. The speaker 176 may provideany type of alert, including, but not limited to power alerts,verification alerts, unauthorized access alerts, dispensing alerts(including alerting the user that it is time to take their medication),incoming messages alerts, connectivity alerts, and/or change inmedication regimen alerts, etc. The vibration motor also may similarlyprovide alerts to the user by vibrating the portable pill dispenser 100when activated. The mute button 178 may enable to user to temporarily(or permanently) turn off (or mute) the alerts. The mute bottom 178 alsomay deactivate the vibration motor. The light indicators 174 may providevarious alerts to the user, such as but not limited to, power alerts,verification alerts, unauthorized access alerts, dispensing alerts,incoming messages alerts, connectivity alerts, and/or change inmedication regimen alters, etc. The light indicators 174 may bemulti-colored LED lights. In some instances, the device may include adigital display, such as an LCD/LED display, on which textual orgraphical information may be conveyed to the user. The batteries 184 maypower the various electrical components. For example, a secondarybattery 186 may power an internal clock associated with the controlpanel 170, while a primary battery 188 may power all of the otherelectrical components. In some instances, the internal clock ensuresthat the dose information is properly time-stamped. The geopositiontransceiver may enable tracking of the portable pill dispenser in casesof theft or loss. In addition, the geoposition transceiver may track thelocation where pills are being dispensed. The electrical connection port182 and/or battery charging port may enable the portable pill dispenser100 to be charged and/or connected to other devices or networks. In someinstances, the electrical connection port 182 is a USB port or the like.Similarly, the wireless communication module 180 may enable the portablepill dispenser 100 to be connected to other devices or networks. In someinstances, the wireless communication module may include Bluetoothcapabilities, WIFI capabilities, satellite capabilities, a transmitter,or the like. The wireless communication module 180 may use any wirelesscommunication protocol. The electrical connection port 182 and/or thewireless communication module 180 may enable the portable pill dispenser100 to be connected to other devices for programming, troubleshooting,and/or data download.

FIG. 13 depicts the portable pill dispenser 100 communicating over anetwork 190. The portable pill dispenser 100 may include wirelesscapabilities. For example, the portable pill dispenser 100 maycommunicate over the network 190 with other devices by way of thewireless communication module 180. In other instances, the portable pilldispenser 100 may communicate over the network with other devicesthrough a hard connection by way of the electrical communication port182. The portable pill dispenser 100 may communicate with one or morecomputing devices 192 associated with a doctor's office, a hospital, apharmacist, a caretaker, a clinical trial operator, etc. The portablepill dispenser 100 may communication with any suitable device or personsassociated therewith. In addition, one or more third party computingdevices 194 may monitor the portable pill dispenser 100 and/or collectinformation associated with the portable pill dispenser 100 over thenetwork 190. In this manner, a medication regimen may be tracked todetermine if it is being properly followed. Moreover, the medicationregimen may be modified remotely. That is, the ability of the portablepill dispenser 100 to dispense pills may be adjusted remotely by apharmacist, a caretaker, or a clinical trial operator, etc. In someinstances, the portable pill dispenser 100 may communicate directly witha user device—such as a smart phone or the like associated with theuser. The user device may then communicate the information from theportable pill dispenser 100 over the network 190.

FIGS. 14-24 depict additional embodiments of a portable pill dispenser200. The embodiments described in FIGS. 14-24 may be incorporated intoany of the embodiments described in FIGS. 1-13 and vice versa. Theportable pill dispenser 200 may include a container 202 configured tohouse one or more pills 204 therein. In some instances, the container202 is reusable or disposable. The portable pill dispenser 200 also mayinclude a housing 205 attachable to the container 202. The housing 205may include a dispensing mechanism 206 therein. Any type of dispensingmechanism 206 may be used. The dispensing mechanism 206 may beconfigured to dispense at least one of the pills 204 from the container202 to a dispensing opening 208. In some instances, the housing 205 isreusable. That is, once the pills 204 have been dispensed, thedisposable container 202 may be removed from the housing 205 and a newdisposable container 202 may be attached thereto.

The container 202 may include a container label. For example, thecontainer 202 may include a prescription label thereon. The prescriptionlabel may identify the pills therein, provide instructions to thepatient, provide a medication regimen, provide patient information,provide doctor information, provide warnings, and/or provide emergencyinstructions, or the like. The information may be in the form of textand/or a barcode. Any information may be included on the containerand/or label.

In some instances, the container 202 may include a data chip (or otherelectronic storage device, such as a memory card or the like). The datachip may include any information included in the prescription label. Theinformation associated with the data chip may be encrypted. In someinstances, the container 202 and/or the housing 205 may include anelectronic display, which may display information from the data chip. Inaddition, the data chip may provide information (such as pill type, amedication dosage regimen, etc.) to a controller associated with thedispensing mechanism 206 so as to control the dispensing of the pills204. In this manner, the container 202 may communicate (wirelesslyand/or by way of a direct connection) to the dispensing mechanism 206.

In certain embodiments, the container 202 and/or the housing 205 mayinclude a radio with any suitable transceiver component(s) fortransmitting or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. In this manner,the portable pill dispenser 200 may include wireless capabilities. Theportable pill dispenser 200 may be WIFI, cellular, satellite, or thelike compatible. For example, the portable pill dispenser 200 maycommunicate over a network with other devices. For example, the portablepill dispenser 200 may communicate with one or more computing devicesassociated with a doctor's office, a hospital, a pharmacist, acaretaker, a clinical trial operator, etc. The portable pill dispenser200 may communicate with any suitable device or persons associatedtherewith. In addition, third parties may monitor the portable pilldispenser 200 and/or collect information associated with the portablepill dispenser 200 over a network. For example, a medication regimen maybe tracked to determine if it is being properly followed. The medicationregimen also may be modified remotely.

A funnel 210 may be configured to direct at least one of the pills 204to the dispensing mechanism 206. In certain embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 18, the funnel 210 includes a first arm 212 and a second arm 214.In some instances, the first arm 212, the second arm 214, or both areadjustable relative to each other in order to adjust a funnel opening216 therebetween. In this manner, the funnel 210 may be adjusted toallow one pill 204 at a time through the funnel opening 216. Forexample, the first arm 212, the second arm 214, or both may comprise arespective funnel slot 218 slidably positioned about a respective funnelpeg 220. In this manner, the first arm 212 and/or the second arm 214 maybe adjusted by sliding the first arm 212 and/or the second arm 214 aboutthe respective funnel peg 220. The first arm 212 and/or the second arm214 may be adjusted to accommodate different pill sizes. In otherinstances, one or both of the funnel arms may be fixed. In yet otherinstances, the funnel 210 may be omitted.

In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIGS. 23 and 24, the funnel 210may include a torturous path 211 to ensure that certain pills 204 areproperly oriented for dispensing. For example, elongated pills 213 maynot pass through the torturous path 211 unless oriented in a certainconfiguration, such as sideways. In some instances, the torturous path211 may include a winding path with several switchbacks leading to thefunnel opening 216. The winding path may only enable pills in a certainorientation to pass through the funnel 210 to the funnel opening 216. Insome instances, a user may shake the portable pill dispenser 200 tojostle the pills 204 into the proper orientation so that they can passdown the torturous path 211. In some instances, the torturous path 211may form the funnel 210. In other instances, the torturous path 211 maydirect pills 204 to the funnel 210. In yet other instances, the funnel210 may direct pills 204 to the torturous path 211.

Referring back to FIG. 18, the portable pill dispenser 200 may includean agitation device 222 in communication with at least one of the firstarm 212, the second arm 214, or a combination thereof to impart motionthereto. For example, the agitation device 222 may be a ratchet gearthat rotates to vibrate or otherwise move the first arm 212 and/or thesecond arm 214. The agitation device 222 may ensure the one or morepills 204 slide down the funnel 210. In some instances, the agitationdevice 222 is adjustable. For example, the agitation device 222 mayinclude a hub 224 slidably positioned within an agitation slot 226. Theagitation device 222 may be adjusted by sliding the hub 224 about theagitation slot 226. In this manner, the agitation device 222 may beadjusted to accommodate different pill sizes and/or funnel arrangements.In some instances, the agitation device 222 may be omitted.

In certain embodiments, the dispensing mechanism 206 comprises a firstrotatable hub 228 and a second rotatable hub 230 positioned about thefunnel opening 216. In some instances, the first rotatable hub 228, thesecond rotatable hub 230, or both are adjustable relative to each otherin order to adjust a rotatable hub opening 232 therebetween. Forexample, the first rotatable hub 228 and/or the second rotatable hub 230may be slidably positioned about a respective rotatable hub slot 234. Inthis manner, the first rotatable hub 228 and/or the second rotatable hub230 may be adjusted by sliding the first rotatable hub 228 and/or thesecond rotatable hub 230 about the respective rotatable hub slot 234.The first rotatable hub 228 and/or the second rotatable hub 230 may beadjusted to accommodate different pill sizes. Rotation of the firstrotatable hub 228 and the second rotatable hub 230 may move at least oneof the one or more pills 204 from the funnel opening 216 to thedispensing opening 208. In some instances, the dispensing mechanism 206dispenses one pill at a time.

As depicted in FIG. 17, a passageway 233 may be disposed between thefirst rotatable hub 228 and the second rotatable hub 230 and thedispensing opening 208. In this manner, the first rotatable hub 228 andthe second rotatable hub 230 may move at least one of the one or morepills 204 from the funnel opening 216 to the passageway 233. Forexample, the dispensing mechanism 206 dispenses one pill at a time. Insome instances, the passageway 233 includes a lever 235 that blockspills from reaching the dispensing opening 208. As discussed below, thelever 235 may pivot to allow the pills to travel down the passageway 233to the dispensing opening 208 once the user and/or medication regimenhas been verified.

Referring back to FIG. 18, in some instances, the first rotatable hub228, the second rotatable hub 230, or a combination thereof are inmechanical communication with the agitation device 222. In this manner,rotation of the first rotatable hub 228, the second rotatable hub 230,and/or the agitation device 222 may drive (e.g., rotate) the others orvice versa. Moreover, in certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 17, adrive wheel 236 is in mechanical communication with at least one of thefirst rotatable hub 228, the second rotatable hub 230, and/or theagitation device 222. In addition, the drive wheel 236 may be inmechanical communication with a motor or the like. The drive wheel 236may impart motion (directly or indirectly) to the first rotatable hub228, the second rotatable hub 230, and/or the agitation device 222. Inother instances, the motor 225 may be attached directly to the firstrotatable hub 228, the second rotatable hub 230, and/or the agitationdevice 222. In some instances, the motor may be an electric motor incommunication with a battery. A controller may be in communication withthe battery and/or the motor to control the dispensing process.

In some instances, as depicted in FIG. 18, a first foam wheel 238 ispositioned about the first rotatable hub 228. Similarly, a second foamwheel 240 may be positioned about the second rotatable hub 230. Thefirst foam wheel 238 and the second foam wheel 240 may facilitatedispensing of at least one of the one or more pills 204 by the firstrotatable hub 228 and the second rotatable hub 230. For example, thefoam wheels may be elastically deformable to encase a pill and transferthe pill through the interface of the two rotating wheels. In someinstances, the dispensing mechanism 206 dispenses one pill at a time.The first foam wheel 238 and the second foam wheel 240 may be the sameor different sizes. In some instances, the first foam wheel 238 and/orthe second foam wheel 240 may be omitted.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 19-21, the dispensingmechanism 206 includes a rotating barrel 242 positioned about the funnelopening 216. The rotating barrel 242 may include at least one cavity 244configured to receive at least one of the one or more pills 204 thereinfrom the funnel opening 216. In some instances, a number of cavities 244may be disposed within the rotating barrel 242. The at least one cavitymay be sized to fit one pill therein. In this manner, the dispensingmechanism 206 may dispense one pill at a time. The rotating barrel 242may rotate the at least one cavity 244 from the funnel opening 216 tothe dispensing opening 208. In this manner, rotation of the barrel 242may move at least one of the one or more pills 204 from the funnelopening 216 to the dispensing opening 208. As noted above, a torturouspath 211 may be incorporated to ensure that the pills 204 are in theproper orientation for dispensing into the at least one cavity 244 inthe rotating barrel 242. In some instances, a passageway 233 may bepositioned between the rotating barrel 242 and the dispending opening208. The dispensing mechanism 206 may include a motor 246 in direct orindirect (e.g., via one or more gears) mechanical communication with therotating barrel 242. In some instances, the motor 246 may be an electricmotor in communication with a battery 248. A controller 250 may be incommunication with the battery 248 and/or the motor 246 to control thedispensing process. FIGS. 20 and 21 depict the rotating barrel 242making a full rotation to dispense one of the pills 204.

Referring back to FIGS. 14-17, the portable pill dispenser 200 mayinclude an attachment mechanism 252 configured to secure the container202 to the housing 205. In some instances, the attachment mechanism 252comprises at least one pivoting lever 254 positioned about the housing205. The at least one pivoting lever 254 may be configured to mate withat least one pin 256, which may be disposed about the container 202. Theat least one pivoting lever 254 may include a release bottom portion258. In some instances, a tool may be required to detach the container202 from the housing 205. For example, a lock pin shear bar 260 mayprevent the container 202 from detaching from the housing 205. In thismanner, only an authorized person (such as a pharmacist) may detach thecontainer 202 from the housing 205. Any type of tamper resistanceattachment mechanism may be used herein.

In addition, a verification mechanism 262 may be configured to verifyaccess to the dispensing opening 208 and/or activate the dispensingmechanism 206. That is, the verification mechanism 262 may provideaccess to the dispensing opening 208 only to a verified user and/or mayactivate the dispensing mechanism 206 only upon verification of theuser. In some instances, the verification mechanism 262 is a biometriclocking mechanism. For example, the verification mechanism 262 may be afingerprint reader, a retina reader, or the like. In other instances,the verification mechanism 262 may include a touch pad into which a userenters a code. Any type of verification mechanism may be used herein tolimit and/or verify access to the dispensing opening 208.

The portable pill dispenser 200 may include one or more sensors disposedabout the container 202, the housing 205, and/or the dispensingmechanism 206. For example, the one or more sensors may be disposedwithin the container 202 to detect the presence of the one or more pills204. The one or more sensors also may be positioned adjacent to thedispensing mechanism 206 (on the funnel side and/or the dispensingopening side) to detect whether, and how many pills, have beendispensed. In addition, the one or more sensors may be disposed aboutthe dispensing opening 208. The one or more sensors may be configured todetect the presence of at least one of the one or more pills at any ofthe stages of the dispensing process. In one embodiment, the detectionmechanism is based on light reflection from the pill compared to lightreflection from the dispensing mechanism (barrel). The wavelength oflight is chosen to maximize the signal difference between the pill andthe dispenser. By way of example, the dispenser can be optimized tomaximally reflect the chosen wavelengths of light while the pillmaximally absorbs the chosen wavelengths of light. Various mechanismsthat can be used to maximize the differences in absorption or reflectionof light can include reflection, refraction, light scatter, lightdiffusion, surface textures, dispenser color, dispenser material choice,dispenser coatings, material fluorescence, and the like.

In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 22, the container 202 may bedisposed within the housing 205. For example, the container 202 may takethe form of a cartridge 264 that is disposed within the housing 205. Forexample, the housing 205 may include an outer shell 266 with an opening268. The opening 268 may be covered by a pivoting lid 270. The cartridge264 may be inserted into the opening 268 and the lid 270 may be pivotedshut. The lid 270 may be secured shut by any resistant proof attachmentmeans. The container 202 and the housing 205 may be arrangement in anymanner.

FIGS. 25-28 depict a dispensing mechanism 300 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 300 may be incorporated into theembodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensing mechanism300 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensing mechanism 134in FIGS. 1-13. In some instances, the container 303 and the housing 307may be similar to those described in FIGS. 1-13. The dispensingmechanism 300 may be incorporated into any pill dispenser.

A ramp 302 is configured to guide the pills 304 from a container 303 tothe dispensing mechanism 300. The dispensing mechanism 300 may dispensethe pills 304 to a dispensing opening 305 in the housing 307. In someinstances, the ramp 302 guides one pill at a time to the dispensingmechanism 300. That is, the ramp 302 is sized and shaped to align onepill into the dispensing mechanism 300 at a time. In other instances,the ramp 302 may permit a plurality of pills 304 into the dispensingmechanism 300 at once. The ramp 302 may be attached to the support wall309, which may be attached to the housing 307. In other instances, theramp 302 may be directly attached to the housing 307. The ramp 302includes an inlet 306 facing the container and an outlet 308 downstreamof the dispensing mechanism 300. The size and shape of the inlet 306 andthe outlet 308 may vary depending on the pills being dispensed. The ramp302 may include one or more angled portions so as to use gravity tocause the pills to slide into the dispensing mechanism 300. For example,the ramp 302 may function as a funnel directing one or more pills to thedispensing mechanism 300. The ramp 302 may be any suitable size, shape,or configuration.

The dispensing mechanism 300 is configured to dispense the pills 304from the container 303. In some instance, the dispensing mechanism 300comprises an oscillating member 310. The oscillating member 310 isconfigured to pivot about a pivot point 312. For example, theoscillating member 310 includes an elongated platform 314 pivoting aboutthe pivot point 312. The elongated platform 314 may include a forwardlip 316 and a rear lip 318. In some instances, the forward lip 316 andthe rear lip 318 are disposed on opposite sides of the pivot point 312at opposite ends of the elongated platform 314. The forward lip 316 andthe rear lip 318 may be disposed on opposite sides of the pivot point312 at any location about the elongated platform 314. The forward lip316 and the rear lip 318 move up-and-down as the elongated platform 314oscillates back-and-forth, i.e., as the elongated platform 314 rotatesabout the pivot point 312. That is, as the forward lip 316 rises, therear lip 318 lowers, and vice versa.

The forward lip 316 may move up-and-down about the outlet 308, and therear lip 318 may move up-and-down through an opening 320 in the ramp302. In some instances, the distance between the forward lip 316 and therear lip 318 may accommodate a single pill therebetween. In otherinstances, two or more pills may fit between the forward lip 316 and therear lip 318. In order to accommodate pills of varying sizes and/orshapes, the size and shape of the oscillating member 310 may vary. Forexample, the width and distance between the forward lip 316 and the rearlip 318 may vary. In this manner, depending of the pills beingdispensed, different sized and/or shaped oscillating members 310 may beused. In this manner, the dispensing mechanism 300 may be customized fordifferent pills.

An actuator 322 may be in mechanical communication with the elongatedplatform 314 on a first side 324 of the pivot point 312 about the rearlip 318, and a spring 326 may be in mechanical communication with theelongated platform 314 on a second side 328 of the pivot point 312 aboutthe forward lip 316. In some instances, the spring 326 may be supportedby a ledge 315 extending from the support wall 309, which may beattached to the housing 307. As a result, as depicted in FIG. 25, theforward lip 316 is biased in the upward position to prevent the pills304 from being dispensed. In order to lower the forward lip 316, asdepicted in FIG. 26, the actuator 322 pivots the elongated platform 314to overcome the resistance of the spring 326. The location of theactuator 322 and the spring 326 may be reversed. That is, the actuator322 and the spring 326 may be switched. In some instances, the actuator322 may be a linear actuator. Any suitable actuator may be used. Theactuator 322 may be in direct or indirect (e.g., via one or more gears)mechanical communication with the oscillating member 310.

The actuator 322 and the oscillating member 310 may be positionedbeneath the ramp 302. In this manner, the oscillating member 310 ispositioned about the outlet 308 of the ramp 302. When the actuator 322pivots the elongated platform 314 to overcome the resistance of thespring 326, as depicted in FIG. 26, the forward lip 316 is lowered,which enables one or more pills disposed between the rear lip 318 andthe forward lip 316 to be dispensed. In addition, as the forward lip 316is lowered, the rear lip 318 is pushed upward, which blocks additionalpills from being dispensed. When the actuator 322 is deactivated, asdepicted in FIG. 25, the spring 326 pivots the elongated platform 314 inthe opposite direction, which forces the forward lip 316 upward toprevent the pills 304 from being dispensed. In addition, as the forwardlip 316 is raised, the rear lip 318 is lowered to enable one or morepills 304 to slide between the forward lip 316 and the lower lip 318 forsubsequent dispensing the next time the forward lip 316 is lowered.

Oscillating member 310 may move back-and-forth and up-and-down ondemand. That is, the actuator 322 may be activated by a CPU uponverification of the identity of the user. The actuator 322 may move theoscillating member 310 at regular or irregular intervals or speeds. Forexample, depending on the number of pills being dispensed and the sizeand shape of the pills, the motion of the oscillating member 310 may beprogrammed to ensure that the pills are dispensed as desired. In thismanner, the oscillating member 310 may move back-and-forth andup-and-down at constant or varying speeds, times, intervals, and/orangles of rotation.

FIGS. 38-42 depict a container 400 for a portable pill dispenser. Thecontainer 400 may be incorporated into any of the embodiments describedherein. For example, the container may be attached to a housing and usedin conjunction with any of the dispensing mechanisms disclosed herein.In some instances, the container and the housing may be similar to thosedescribed in FIGS. 1-13.

The container includes a delivery system for delivering pills (in acontrolled manner) to the dispensing mechanism. The container mayinclude a slide (or delivery ramp) formed as part of the container. Thatis, the container and the slide may be integrally formed. The containeris configured to automatically align pills, which then slide down theslide towards the dispensing mechanism. One or more gates, e.g.,rotating disks, may control the advancement of pills down the slide tothe dispensing mechanism. Any metering device may be used in conjunctionwith the slide to control the movement of pills along the slide.

As depicted in FIG. 38, the container 400 includes an opening 402. Insome instances, the opening 402 is disposed about the top of thecontainer 400. A user may use the opening 402 to insert (i.e., fill) oneor more pills into the container 400. A lid (not shown) may be attachedto the container 400 to close the opening 402. The lid may be detachablyattached or permanently attached to the container 400. In someinstances, a special tool may be needed to remove the lid.

Referring to FIG. 42, the container 400 includes a pill delivery system404. In certain embodiments, the pill delivery system 404 includes aslide 406. The slide 406 may be integrally formed within the container400. For example, the slide 406 may form a bottom surface of thecontainer 400. An exit opening 408 is disposed at an end 410 of theslide 406. The slide 406 may be any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. In some instances, the slide 406 comprises an arched rampdescending to the exit opening 408. In other instances, the slide 406 isa slanted surface (or uniform ramp) which descends to the exit opening408. The slide 406 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

As depicted in FIG. 39, the exit opening 408 may be sized and shaped toenable at least one pill 412 to exit the container 400 at a time. Inthis manner, the pills 412 may slide down the slide 406 and exit thecontainer 400 via the exit opening 408. The pills 412 may be directedfrom the exit opening 408 to a dispensing mechanism, such as therotating barrel discussed herein. The pills 412 may exit the container400 via the exit opening 408 to any of the dispensing mechanismdiscussed herein.

Referring back to FIG. 42, the container 400 may include a gate(discussed in greater detail below) disposed at the end 410 of the slide406 in front of the exit opening 408. That is, the gate is disposedbetween the end 410 of the slide 406 and the exit opening 408. The gateis configured to meter the movement of the pills 412 from the slide 406to the exit opening 408. In one example, the gate comprises twosemicircular rotating disks spaced apart which meter the movement of thepills 412 from the slide 406 to the exit opening 408. For example, thesemicircular rotating disk may rotate from a closed positon, which mayblock (or prevent) the pills 412 from sliding from the slide 406 to theexit opening 408, to an open position, which may enable at least onepill 412 to move from the slide 406 to the exit opening 408. Other typesof gates may be used herein, including oscillating doors or pinsdisposed between the slide 406 and the exit opening 408. Any suitablemetering device may be used. In addition, in certain embodiments, theback side of the rotating barrel opposite the cavity of the dispendingmechanism disclosed herein may prevent the pills from sliding down theslide to the exit opening.

To accommodate the gate, the container 400 may include at least one gaterecess 414. In some instances, the gate recess 414 is a slot in the sideof the container 400. The gate recess 414 may be located at the end 410of the slide 406 between the slide 406 and the exit opening 408. Ininstances where the gate is one or more semicircular rotating disks, thesemicircular rotating disks may at least partially sit within one ormore gate recesses 414. In this manner, the gate may move in and out ofthe gate recess to open and block passage of the pills from the slide406 to the exit opening 408.

In order to align the pills 412 along the slide 406, the container 400includes at least one ledge 416 extending from an internal wall. In someinstances, as depicted in FIGS. 40 and 41, each internal side wall ofthe container 400 may include a ledge 416 extending therefrom anddisposed above the slide 406. The ledges 416 may form a channel 418about (above) the slide 406 surface. The channel 418 may be sized andshaped to align the pills 412 in single file along the slide 406. Inthis manner, a user may simply shake the container 400, which may causethe pills 412 to align within the channel 418 along the slide 406. Theheight of the channel 418 from the surface of the slide 406 to the ledge416 may correspond to the thickness of the pills 412.

The container 400 further comprises a jam prevention wall 420 disposedabove the exit opening 408. In some instances, the jam prevention wall420 is an arched wall or a slanted surface (or uniform ramp). The jamprevention wall 420 extends from an internal side wall within thecontainer 400 over top of the exit opening 408 to the ledges 416 abovethe gate. In this manner, the jam prevention wall 420 prevents pills 412from jamming (or becoming stuck at the exit opening). The jam preventionwall 420 also directs pills 412 into the channel 418.

FIG. 43 depicts a dispensing mechanism 500 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 500 may be incorporated into any ofthe embodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensingmechanism 500 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensingmechanism 134 in FIGS. 1-13. In some instances, the container and thehousing 504 may be similar to those described in FIGS. 1-13. Thedispensing mechanism 500 may be incorporated into any pill dispenser.

A ramp 506 is configured to guide the pills 508 from a container to thedispensing mechanism 500. The dispensing mechanism 500 may dispense thepills 508 to a dispensing chute 502 and a dispensing opening in thehousing 504. In some instances, the ramp 506 guides one pill at a timeto the dispensing mechanism 500. That is, the ramp 506 is sized andshaped to align one pill into the dispensing mechanism 500 at a time. Inother instances, the ramp 506 may enable two or more pills 508 into thedispensing mechanism 500 at once. The ramp 506 may be attached to thesupport wall 510, which may be attached to or integrally formed with thehousing 504. In other instances, the ramp 506 may be directly attachedto the housing 504. The ramp 506 includes an inlet 512 facing thecontainer and an outlet 514 at an opposite end thereof. The size andshape of the inlet 512 and the outlet 514 may vary depending on thepills being dispensed. The ramp 506 may include one or more angledportions so as to use gravity to cause the pills to slide into thedispensing mechanism 500. For example, the ramp 506 may function as afunnel directing one or more pills to the dispensing mechanism 500. Theramp 506 may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The dispensing mechanism 500 is configured to dispense the pills 508from the container. In some instance, the dispensing mechanism 500comprises a trap door assembly 516 configured to dispense the at leastone pill 508 from the container to the dispensing opening. The trap doorassembly 516 comprises a sliding door 518 disposed about the outlet 514of the ramp 506. The sliding door 518 may be configured to slide along alinear path. For example, the sliding door 518 may slide from an openposition to a closed position and vice versa. In the closed position,the sliding door 518 may block the outlet 514 of the ramp 506. In thismanner, pills 508 may be unable to pass from the ramp 506 to thedispensing opening. In the open position, the sliding door 518 may notblock the opening of the outlet 514 of the ramp 506, which may allow thepills 508 to pass from the ramp 506 to the dispensing opening.

The sliding door 518 may be actuated via a linear actuator 520. In thismanner, the sliding door 518 is in mechanical communication with thelinear actuator 520, which is configured to move the sliding door 518between the open position and the closed position. In one exampleembodiment, the linear actuator 520 is a traveling nut linear actuator.For example, the sliding door 518 may include a threaded member 522attached thereto. In one example, the threaded member 522 comprises athreaded nut 524 attached to (or formed within) a protrusion 526extending from the sliding door 518. In such instances, the linearactuator 520 comprises a motor 528 attached to a lead screw 530extending therefrom. The lead screw 530 is moveable attached to thethreaded member 522. Thus, in operation, the motor 528 turns the leadscrew 530, which in turn moves the threaded member 522, which in turnmoves the sliding door 518 between the open and closed position.

In certain embodiments, in order to prevent more than one pill 508 frompassing through the outlet 514 of the ramp 506 when the sliding door 518is moved to the open position, the side 532 of the sliding door 518furthest away from the outlet 514 of the ramp 506 may raise upward intothe ramp 506 as the sliding door 518 is moved from the closed positionto the open position. The raising of the sliding door 518 may block theramp 506 and prevent the moment of pills 508 along the ramp 506.Conversely, as the sliding door 518 is moved from the open position tothe closed position, the side 532 of the sliding door 518 furthest awayfrom the outlet 514 of the ramp 506 may lower to unblock and ramp 506and enable the pills 508 to slide back down the ramp 506 to stage thenext pill 508 in line for dispensing.

FIGS. 44 and 45 depict a dispensing mechanism 600. The dispensingmechanism 600 may be incorporated into any of the embodiments describedherein. The dispensing mechanism 600 includes a container 602, in whicha number of pills are disposed. A channel 604 is located at a bottom ofthe container 602. For example, the container 602 may include a ledge603 that at least partially forms the channel 604. In some instances,the ledge 603 is configured to direct pills to the channel 604. Thechannel 604 includes an outlet 606. The outlet 606 may be sized andshaped for one pill at a time to pass therethrough.

The dispensing mechanism 600 includes a belt-and-pulley dispensingsystem 608. In some embodiments, the belt-and-pulley dispensing system608 comprises a continuous track. For example, the belt-and-pulleydispensing system 608 includes a belt 610 disposed about two wheels 612.At least one of the wheels 612 is attached to an actuator, such as amotor, to rotate the wheel 612. As the wheels 612 rotate, the belt 610also rotates.

At least a portion of the belt 610 is disposed within the channel 604 ofthe container 602. In this manner, the belt 610 is configured to movelinearly along the channel 604 and out of the outlet 606 in thecontainer 602. The belt 610 includes a plurality of spaced apartprotrusions 614 extending therefrom. The protrusions 614 may be sizedand shaped to pass through the outlet 606. In some instances, the sizeof the protrusions 614 corresponds to the size of the outlet 606 suchthat the protrusions 614 can block the outlet 606. The protrusions 614form a number of slots 616. That is, a slot 616 is formed between twoprotrusions 614. The slots 616 may be sized and shaped to receive a pilltherein. In this manner, as the belt 610 rotates, a single pill may filleach of the slots 616 and pass through the outlet 606 of the container602 one at a time. The pills may then be directed to a dispensingopening in the pill dispenser.

FIGS. 46-49 depict a dispensing mechanism 700 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 700 may be incorporated into any ofthe embodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensingmechanism 700 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensingmechanism 134 in FIGS. 1-13. The dispensing mechanism 700 may beincorporated into any pill dispenser.

The dispensing mechanism 700 comprises a rotating barrel 702. Therotating barrel 702 includes at least one cavity 704 therein. The cavity704 is configured to receive at least one pill 705 therein. Rotation ofthe rotating barrel 702 dispenses the pill 705 from the cavity 704 to adispensing opening in the pill dispenser. The operation of the rotatingbarrel 702 is similar to the one described in the dispensing mechanism134 described in FIGS. 1-13.

The dispensing mechanism 700 also includes a ramp 706. The ramp 706 isconfigured to align and direct the pills 705 to the rotating barrel 702.The ramp 706 may form a channel or passage to the rotating barrel 702.The cross-section of the channel or passage may be circular or square,for example. The ramp 706 may be any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. In order to regulate the number of pills 705 passing tothe rotating barrel 702, one or more moveable stoppers 708 are disposedabout the ramp 706 to control the movement of the pill 705 to therotating barrel 702. In some instances, the moveable stoppers 708 aredisposed at or near an end of the ramp 706. The moveable stoppers 708may be located at any location along the ramp 706.

In some instances, the moveable stoppers 708 are configured to move upand down within the ramp 706 between an open position and a closedposition in order to block the pills 705 from sliding into the rotatingbarrel 702. For example, the rotating barrel 702 comprises a neckportion 710 having a cam surface 712. The cam surface 712 is inmechanical communication with the moveable stoppers 708. That is, asurface of the moveable stoppers 708 may be in contact with the camsurface 712 of the neck portion 710 of the rotating barrel 702. Theinterface between the moveable stoppers 708 and the cam surface 712 onthe neck portion 710 of the rotating barrel 702 is configured to movethe moveable stoppers 708 between the open position and the closedposition as the neck portion 710 rotates.

In the open position, the moveable stoppers 708 may be flush with afloor 714 of the ramp 706 to enable the pills 705 to slide down the ramp706 and into the rotating barrel 702. Conversely, in the closedposition, the moveable stoppers 708 may be disposed at least partiallywithin the ramp 706 to block and prevent the movement of the pills 705along the ramp 706 and into the rotating barrel 702.

To enable the moveable stoppers 708 to move in and out of the ramp 706between the open position and the closed position, the ramp 706 includesone or more corresponding apertures 716 therethrough in which themovable stoppers 708 can pass in and out. In this manner, the moveablestoppers 708 may oscillate in and out of the apertures 716 between theopen position and the closed position.

In certain embodiments, the movable stoppers 708 comprise two spacedapart pins 718 that move up and down along the cam surface 712 as theneck portion 710 rotates. The two pins 718 may be disposed on oppositesides of the ramp 706. In such instances, the corresponding apertures716 are also disposed on opposite sides of the ramp 706. In someinstances, the two pins 718 are triangular shaped. In such instances,the points (or tips) 720 of the triangular pins may face each other.

The moveable stoppers 708 may be configured to enable one pill 705 topass to the rotating barrel 702 at a time. For example, a first pill 722may be provided to or disposed within the cavity 704 and a second pill724 may be blocked within the ramp 706 by the moveable stoppers 708 inthe closed position. When the rotating barrel 702 rotates, the firstpill 722 is dispensed to the dispensing opening and the moveablestoppers 708 are moved from the closed position to the open position viathe cam surface 712, causing the second pill 724 to slid down the ramp706 towards the rotating barrel 702. In some instances, a backside 726of the rotating barrel 702 prevents the second pill 724 from exiting theramp 706 until the rotating barrel 702 makes a full rotation such thatthe second pill 724 can exit the ramp 706 into the cavity 704. When therotating barrel 702 fully rotates such that the second pill 724 can exitthe ramp 706 into the cavity 704, the moveable stoppers 708 are movedback into the closed position to prevent other pills from being providedto or entering the cavity 704.

The dispensing mechanism 700 is particularly useful for smaller circulartablets. In particular, the moveable stoppers 708 prevent blockage andjams between the ramp 706 and the rotating barrel 702. The dispensingmechanism 700 may be used with any sized or shaped pill.

FIGS. 50-55 depict a dispensing mechanism 800 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 800 may be incorporated into any ofthe embodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensingmechanism 800 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensingmechanism 134 in FIGS. 1-13. The dispensing mechanism 800 may beincorporated into any pill dispenser.

The dispensing mechanism 800 comprises a rotating barrel 802. Therotating barrel 802 includes at least one cavity 804 therein. The cavity804 is configured to receive at least one pill 805 therein. Rotation ofthe rotating barrel 802 dispenses the pill 805 from the cavity 804 to adispensing opening in the pill dispenser. The operation of the rotatingbarrel 802 is similar to the one described in the dispensing mechanism134 described in FIGS. 1-13.

The dispensing mechanism 800 also includes a ramp 806. The ramp 806 isconfigured to align and direct the pills 805 to the rotating barrel 802.The ramp 806 may form a channel or passage to the rotating barrel 802.The channel or passage may be circular or square. The ramp 806 may beany suitable size, shape, or configuration. In order to regulate thenumber of pills 805 passing to the rotating barrel 802, a moveable floor808 is disposed within the ramp 806 to control the movement of the pills805 to the rotating barrel 802. In some instances, the moveable floor808 is disposed at or near an end of the ramp 806. The moveable floor808 may be located at any location within or along the ramp 806.

In some instances, the moveable floor 808 is configured to move up anddown within the ramp 806 between an open position and a closed positionin order to block (or pinch) the pills 805 from sliding into therotating barrel 802. For example, the rotating barrel 802 comprises aneck portion 810 having a cam surface 812. The cam surface 812 is inmechanical communication with the moveable floor 808. In someembodiments, a tongue 809 acts as an intermediate between the camsurface 812 of the neck portion 810 and the moveable floor 808. That is,a first end 811 of the tongue 809 contacts the cam surface 812 of theneck portion 810 of the rotating barrel 802, and a second end 815 of thetongue 809 contacts the moveable floor 808. As a result, as the camsurface 812 on the neck portion 810 of the rotating barrel 802 rotates,the first end 811 moves up and down, which may cause the second end 815of the tongue 809 to push against the moveable floor 808 to move themoveable floor 808 between the open position and the closed positon.

In the open position, the moveable floor 808 may be flush with a floor814 of the ramp 806 to enable the pills 805 to slide down the ramp 806and into the rotating barrel 802. Conversely, in the closed position,the moveable floor 808 may be deflected at least partially within theramp 806 to block and prevent the movement of the pills 805 along theramp 806 and into the rotating barrel 802. In particular, the moveablefloor 808 may be deflected at least partially within the ramp 806 topinch (or press) the pill thereon against a top surface 817 of the ramp806 to prevent the movement of the pills 805 along the ramp 806 and intothe rotating barrel 802.

To enable the moveable floor 808 to move in and out of the ramp 806between the open position and the closed position, the moveable floor808 may be cantilevered along the floor 814 of the ramp 806. That is,only one end of the moveable floor 808 may be attached to the floor 814.As a result, the moveable floor 808 may be capable of deflecting in andout of the ramp 806. In this manner, the moveable floor 808 may move (oroscillate) up and down between the open position and the closedposition.

The moveable floor 808 may be configured to enable one pill 805 to passto the rotating barrel 802 at a time. For example, a first pill 822 maybe provided to or disposed within the cavity 804, and a second pill 824may be pinched within the ramp 806 by the moveable floor 808 in theclosed position. When the rotating barrel 802 rotates, the first pill822 is dispensed to the dispensing opening and the moveable floor 808 ismoved from the closed position to the open position via the cam surface812 and the tongue 809, causing the second pill 824 to slid down theramp 806 towards the rotating barrel 802. In some instances, a backside826 of the rotating barrel 802 prevents the second pill 824 from exitingthe ramp 806 until the rotating barrel 802 makes a full rotation suchthat the second pill 824 can exit the ramp 806 into the cavity 804. Whenthe rotating barrel 802 fully rotates such that the second pill 824 canexit the ramp 806 into the cavity 804, the moveable floor 808 is movedback into the closed position to prevent other pills from being providedto or entering the cavity 804.

The dispensing mechanism 800 is particularly useful for smaller circulartablets. In particular, the moveable floor 808 prevents blockage andjams between the ramp 806 and the rotating barrel 802. For example,smaller pills have a tendency to ride up on top of one another, whichcauses jams and clogs. The moveable floor 808 prevents this by pinchingthe “on deck” pill in place within the ramp 806. The dispensingmechanism 800 may be used with any sized or shaped pill.

FIGS. 56-61 depict a dispensing mechanism 900 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 900 may be incorporated into any ofthe embodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensingmechanism 900 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensingmechanism 134 in FIGS. 1-13. The dispensing mechanism 900 may beincorporated into any pill dispenser.

The dispensing mechanism 900 comprises a rotating barrel 902. Therotating barrel 902 includes at least one cavity 904 therein. The cavity904 is configured to receive at least one pill 905 therein. Rotation ofthe rotating barrel 902 dispenses the pill 905 from the cavity 904 to adispensing opening in the pill dispenser. The operation of the rotatingbarrel 902 is similar to the one described in the dispensing mechanism134 described in FIGS. 1-13.

The dispensing mechanism 900 also includes a ramp 906. The ramp 906 isconfigured to align and direct the pills 905 to the rotating barrel 902.The ramp 706 may form a channel or passage to the rotating barrel 902.The channel or passage may be circular or square. The ramp 906 may beany suitable size, shape, or configuration. In order to regulate thenumber of pills 905 passing to the rotating barrel 902, one or morerotating gates 908 are disposed about the ramp 906 to control themovement of the pills 905 to the rotating barrel 902. In some instances,the rotating gates 908 are disposed at or near an end of the ramp 906.The rotating gates 908 may be located at any location along the ramp906.

In some instances, the rotating gates 908 are configured to rotatewithin the ramp 906 in order to block the pills 905 from sliding intothe rotating barrel 902. For example, the rotating barrel 902 maycomprise a neck portion 910 to which the rotating gates 908 areattached. In this manner, as the neck portion 910 rotates, so too do therotating gates 908.

The rotating gates include a wall 912 with a cutout 914. The wall 912may be sized and shaped to block (obstruct) the ramp 906 to prevent thepassage of pills 905 therethrough, while the cutout 914 may be sized andshaped to enable the pills 905 to pass therethrough. For example, insome instances, the cutout 914 may align flush with a floor 915 and/orside wall of the ramp 906 to enable the pills 905 to slide down the ramp906 and into the rotating barrel 902. Conversely, when the wall 912 isrotated into the ramp 906, it may block and prevent the movement of thepills 905 along the ramp 906 and into the rotating barrel 902.

In some instances, the cutout 914 includes a hook portion 916. The hookportion 916 may include a chamfered edge or the like. The hook portion916 is used to separate two pills 905. That is, as the rotating gates908 rotate, the hook portion 916 may engage the area between twoadjacent pills and urge the separation of the two adjacent pills to eachside of the wall 912 of the rotating cutout 914.

In some embodiments, the rotating gates 908 include a first rotatinggate 918 and a second rotating gate 920. The first rotating gate 918 maybe located downhill of the second rotating gate 920 relative to theangle of the ramp 906. In such instances, the cutout 914 in the firstrotating gate 918 is offset from the cutout 914 in the second rotatinggate 920. That is, when the cutout 914 of the first rotating gate 918 isflush with the floor 915 of the ramp 906 to enable a pill 905 disposedbetween the first rotating gate 918 and the second rotating gate 920 toslide to the rotating barrel 902, the wall 912 of the second rotatinggate 920 may be disposed within the ramp 906 to prevent the movement ofpills 905 uphill of the second rotating gate 920. Conversely, when thecutout 914 of the second rotating gate 920 is flush with the floor 915of the ramp 906 to enable a pill 905 to slide down the ramp 906 to alocation between the first rotating gate 918 and the second rotatinggate 920, the wall 912 of the first rotating gate 918 may be disposedwithin the ramp 906 to prevent the movement of pills 905 located betweenthe first rotating gate 918 and the second rotating gate 920 fromsliding to the rotating barrel 902.

To enable the rotating gates 908 to rotate about the ramp 906, the ramp906 includes one or more corresponding apertures 922 therethrough inwhich the rotating gates 908 can rotate within. In this manner, therotating gates 908 may rotate within the apertures 922 between an openposition, in which the cutout 914 is aligned with the ramp 906, and aclosed position, in which the wall 12 is disposed within the ramp 906.

The rotating gates 908 may be configured to enable one pill 905 to passto the rotating barrel 902 at a time. The dispensing mechanism 900 isparticularly useful for smaller circular tablets. In particular, therotating gates 908 prevent blockage and jams between the ramp 906 andthe rotating barrel 902. In an alternative embodiment, the spacingbetween the gates can be set to permit two or more adjacent pills topass at a time, e.g., per one revolution of the gates. The dispensingmechanism 900 may be used with any sized or shaped pill.

FIGS. 63-65 depict a dispensing mechanism 1100 for a portable pilldispenser. The dispensing mechanism 1100 may be incorporated into any ofthe embodiments described herein. In particular, the dispensingmechanism 1100 may replace or work in conjunction with the dispensingmechanism 134 in FIGS. 1-13. The dispensing mechanism 1100 may beincorporated into any pill dispenser.

The dispensing mechanism 1100 comprises a rotating screw 1102. Rotationof the rotating screw 1102 dispenses the pill 1105 to a dispensingopening 1104 in the pill dispenser. In some instances, the rotatingscrew 1102 may include a helix screw head 1107 or the like. The helixscrew head 1107 may be a single unitary structure or a number ofbristles forming a helix. In this manner, the rotating screw 1106 mayfunction similar to a screw conveyor for moving the pills 1105 from thecontainer to the dispensing opening 1104. For example, the helix screwhead 1107 may be directly or indirectly (e.g., via gears) attached to anactuator 1109, such as a motor, for rotating the helix screw head 1107.

The dispensing mechanism 1100 also includes a ramp 1106. The ramp 1106is configured to align and direct the pills 1105 to the rotating screw1102. The ramp 1106 may form a channel or passage to the rotating screw1102. The channel or passage may be circular or square. The ramp 1106may be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. In some instances,the rotating screw 1106 may be at least partially disposed within theramp 1106. More so, the rotating screw 1102 may be disposed at or nearan end of the ramp 1106. The rotating screw 1106 may be located at anylocation along the ramp 1106.

In some instances, the rotating screw 1102 is configured to rotate atleast partially within the ramp 1106 in order to move the pills 1105along the ramp 1106. For example, the rotating screw 1102 may contactand move one or more of the pills 1105 along the ramp 1106 as therotating screw 1102 rotates. When the rotating screw 1102 is notrotating, the pills 1105 may be blocked by the rotating screw 1102 fromsliding along the ramp 1106.

To enable the rotating screw 1102 to rotate about the ramp 1106, theramp 1106 includes a corresponding aperture 1108 therethrough in whichat least a portion of the helix screw head 1107 of the rotating screw1102 is disposed. The helix screw head 1107 can rotate within the rampvia the aperture 1108. That is, the helix screw head 1107 may rotatewithin the aperture 1108. The rotating screw 1102 may be at leastpartially disposed within the ramp 1106 through the aperture 1108 so asto block the passage of pills 1105 therethrough unless the rotatingscrew 1102 is rotating.

As depicted in FIG. 62, the various pill dispensers and pill dispensingmechanism disclosed herein, collectively known as smart dispensers, maybe incorporated into a pill dispensing and monitoring system 1000. Thesystem 1000 may include a portal 1002, a regimen file 1004, a smart pilldispensing device 1006, and one or more personal computing devices 1008,which may communicate with one another over one or more networkconnections, which may be hard connections or wireless connections.

In some instances, the system 1000 comprises a combination of aweb-based portal, a smart pill dispensing device, and a mobile computingdevice (e.g., mobile phone) application. The system 1000 is designed toallow customers of the platform, such as clinical research organizationsand pain management clinics, to prescribe medication to individuals forthe purpose of tracking and managing adherence.

The portal 1002 is used by platform customers to define prescriptionsthat are then translated into instructions for use with the smart pilldispensing device 1006. The smart pill dispensing device 1006 is thenfilled with medication and provided to an individual for taking theirmedication. The smart pill dispensing device 1006 can enroll afingerprint and/or use a registered PIN to enable dispensation. As anindividual dispenses medication using his or her fingerprint or PIN, thesmart pill dispensing device 1006 records the dispensation events. Thatdata is subsequently transferred to the portal 1002 for reporting andanalysis.

A platform administrator user is a platform employee or contractor whohas been granted administrative rights to login to the platformadministrative module 1010. A customer administrative user is a userwith access rights to a specific platform customer's customeradministrative module 1012 that also has authority to performadministrative tasks such as adding new customer users. A customer useris a user with access rights to a specific platform customer's customeradministrative module 1012. A participant is an individual that beingassigned a smart pill dispensing device 1006 by a customer for thepurpose of receiving medication and tracking adherence. A participantprofile is a record created within the system 1000 database that relatesto a single participant within a customer's participant population. Eachparticipant profile is assigned a unique identifier to be used by thesystem for linking to related data. Event data is data collected on asmart pill dispensing device 1006 in the form of a series of log entriesthat include an event type, a date and time of the event, and anyrelated information such as a temperature reading associated with atemperature read event. Each event data record is stored in the system1000 database with a set of unique keys that tie the event data recordto a specific participant and a corresponding regimen file 1004.

The administrative module 1010 is used for on-boarding new clients(add/edit/deactivate customers, setup up master tables), creatingcustomer administrative users and providing customer support. Thecustomer administrative module 1012 allows customer administrative usersto set up other customer users, create participant profiles and createregimen files for association with participant smart pill dispensingdevices 1006.

A customer data analytics module 1014 allows customer users to reviewdata collected from the smart pill dispensing device 1006 for individualparticipants and groups of participants. In addition, customer users canreview aggregate reports and download raw smart pill dispensing device1006 data related to their participant population. A regimen file 1004is a proprietary file containing a set of operating instructions for asmart pill dispensing device 1006. The instructions in the regimen filecontrol smart pill dispensing device 1006 behavior such as time todispense medication or time to wait between dispensations. Theseinstructions are typically based on an individual participant'sprescription requirements. Regimen files are created by customer userswithin the customer administrative module 1012.

The smart pill dispensing device 1006 is a smart pill dispenser withfingerprint and/or PIN controlled access that dispenses medication,tracks dispensation events and other environmental data such astemperature, humidity, battery level, etc. Event data is stored on thedevice and transferred to the system database via the mobile application1008 on the personal computing device or by a customer user manuallycopying and importing the event data into the system.

The mobile application 1008 is a platform mobile application that isused to gather event data from the smart pill dispensing device 1006 andtransfer the data to the system database. The mobile application 1008connects to a smart pill dispensing device 1006 over bluetooth and canalso provide a participant with information about the smart pilldispensing device 1006, such as last dispensation date/time andinstructions for using the smart pill dispensing device 1006. Inaddition, the mobile application 1008 allows a user to establish andmaintain a personal identification number (PIN) and store the PIN in thecustomer administrative module 1012. Subsequently, the mobileapplication can enable dispensation mode if a valid PIN is provided.

In use, for example, a platform administrator can create a customeradministration user account for a new customer. The customeradministrative user on boards other users such as pharmacists and othercustomer users. A customer user creates participant profiles forparticipants who will be taking medication using a smart pill dispensingdevice 1006. A pharmacist creates a prescription for medication for aparticipant and associates the prescription with a smart pill dispensingdevice 1006. A customer user defines a prescription for a participantand creates a regimen file based on that prescription. The customer userdownloads the regimen file and copies it to a participant's smart pilldispensing device 1006 to enable tracking and dispensing of themedication according to the prescribed regimen. The participantregisters a fingerprint on the device and/or establishes a PIN tocontrol dispensation. During the course of the prescribed regimen, theparticipant enters their PIN into the mobile application or places hisor her finger on the smart pill dispensing device 1006 fingerprintreader to authorize dispensation each time medication is dispensed. Thesmart pill dispensing device 1006 collects event data as long as it haspower (i.e. battery is sufficiently charged).

The participant connects to the smart pill dispensing device 1006 fromtime to time over a bluetooth connection using the mobile application.The mobile application transfers event data to the system. Optionally,when the smart pill dispensing device 1006 is turned back in when arefill is required or at the end of the prescription, the event data canbe extracted over a USB connection and uploaded to the system database.Event data is associated with the participant to whom the data pertainsusing a combination of the smart pill dispensing device 1006 MAC addressand the regimen file ID. Customer users analyze the event data forparticipants or groups of participants as individuals or in aggregate.

Any combination of the dispensing mechanisms disclosed herein may beused. That is, all or portions of one dispensing mechanism may beincorporated or combined into another dispensing mechanism.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described,numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within thescope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality describedwith respect to a particular device or component may be performed byanother device or component. Further, while specific devicecharacteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure mayrelate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, althoughembodiments have been described in language specific to structuralfeatures and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditionallanguage, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,”unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include,certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elements,and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

1. A portable pill dispenser, comprising: a container configured tohouse at least one pill therein; a housing attachable to the container;and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein thedispensing mechanism comprises an oscillating member configured todispense the at least one pill from the container.
 2. The portable pilldispenser of claim 1, further comprising a ramp comprising an inlet andan outlet disposed within the housing configured to direct the at leastone pill to the dispensing mechanism.
 3. The portable pill dispenser ofclaim 2, wherein the oscillating member pivots about a pivot point. 4.The portable pill dispenser of claim 3, wherein the oscillating membercomprises an elongated platform pivoting about the pivot point.
 5. Theportable pill dispenser of claim 4, wherein the elongated platformcomprises a forward lip and a rear lip.
 6. The portable pill dispenserof claim 5, wherein the forward lip and the rear lip are disposed onopposite sides of the pivot point.
 7. The portable pill dispenser ofclaim 5, wherein the forward lip and the rear lip rise up-and-down asthe elongated platform oscillates back-and-forth.
 8. The portable pilldispenser of claim 7, wherein the forward lip moves up-and-down aboutthe outlet.
 9. The portable pill dispenser of claim 7, wherein the rearlip moves up-and-down through an opening in the ramp.
 10. The portablepill dispenser of claim 5, wherein a distance between the forward lipand the rear lip accommodates a single pill.
 11. (canceled)
 12. Theportable pill dispenser of claim 5, further comprising: an actuator inmechanical communication with the elongated platform on a first side ofthe pivot point; and a spring in mechanical communication with theelongated platform on a second side of the pivot point.
 13. The portablepill dispenser of claim 5, wherein the forward lip is biased in theupward position to prevent the pills from being dispensed.
 14. Theportable pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein the actuator pivots theelongated platform to overcome the spring.
 15. The portable pilldispenser of claim 2, wherein the oscillating member is positioned aboutthe outlet of the ramp.
 16. The portable pill dispenser of claim 12,wherein when the actuator pivots the elongated platform to overcome thespring, the forward lip is lowered, which enables one or more pillsdisposed between the rear lip and the forward lip to be dispensed. 17.The portable pill dispenser of claim 12, wherein when the forward lip islowered, the rear lip is pushed upward, which blocks additional pillsfrom being dispensed.
 18. The portable pill dispenser of claim 12,wherein when the actuator is deactivated, the spring pivots theelongated platform, which forces the forward lip upward to prevent thepills from being dispensed.
 19. The portable pill dispenser of claim 12,wherein when the forward lip is raised, the rear lip is lowered toenable one or more pills to slide between the forward lip and the lowerlip for subsequent dispensing the next time the forward lip is lowered.20. A portable pill dispenser, comprising: a container configured tohouse at least one pill therein; a housing attachable to the container,wherein the housing comprises a dispensing opening; a dispensingmechanism disposed within the housing, wherein the dispensing mechanismcomprises an oscillating member configured to dispense the at least onepill from the container to the dispensing opening; a ramp disposedwithin the housing, wherein the ramp is configured to direct the atleast one pill to the dispensing mechanism; and a verification mechanismdisposed about the housing, wherein the verification mechanism isconfigured to activate the dispensing mechanism.
 21. A method,comprising: providing a portable pill dispenser comprising a containerconfigured to house at least one pill therein and a housing attachableto the container, wherein the housing comprises a dispensing opening;verifying, by a verification mechanism disposed about the housing, anidentity of a user of the portable pill dispenser; activating, afterverifying the identity of the user of the portable pill dispenser, adispensing mechanism disposed within the housing, wherein the dispensingmechanism comprises an oscillating member configured to dispense the atleast one pill from the container to the dispensing opening. 22-68.(canceled)